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Save the Wild Turkey — Hunt one
By Russell Graves
Spring of 2004 found my brother and I walking through the ash trees in a broad and muddy bottomland in Fannin County, Texas. Just off a deployment to Afghanistan, his time on leave from the United States Army was brief. Luckily, however, it coincided with the new spring turkey season in Fannin County.
Only the second year in existence at the time, the season was short: a five-day work week bookended by weekends gave us only nine days to hunt eastern wild turkeys.
For years, we have seen small flocks and single birds on the Caddo National Grasslands in the northern part of the county, but until the second year of the county’s newly created spring turkey season, we have never seen many turkeys in the mid county area where we hunted most of our lives.
Just a year before this hunt, I saw a few turkeys slipping through the dark timber and heard several gobbles in response to a distant barred owl’s iconic call. This was the first time I could conclude that turkeys were indeed on the property.
On opening morning, we stood and waited and listened in the dark in a thick grove of red cedars that creates a boundary between the upland oaks and the bottomland hardwoods. As the sun burnished the eastern sky, we heard a couple of toms gobble about two hundred yards away. Moving in their direction, we eventually set up in the timber to call the birds the rest of the way to us. Vernally fresh, the trees were adorned with Virginia creeper while the air was filled with the pungent smell of wild onions.
We sat, called, and five minutes later a trio of toms slinked in from the east. With a single trigger pull from my pump shotgun, my turkey fell 22 yards from my feet and 10 minutes after sunrise. As we talked, we heard another solitary tom calling to the north. My brother was scheduled to leave again in just a few days so we exchanged gear. He took the shotgun while I handled the calling. We slowly hiked for ten minutes and made a stand on the south side of a small creek. Just minutes after I first made the slate call purr, a huge, mature gobbler stood 10 yards across the creek from us and strutted. Bubba sealed the deal.
To read more pick up a copy of the June 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Emily Gleason
The outdoor, hunting, and fishing industries have long been perceived traditionally as a male-dominated realm. However, as societal norms shift, the experiences of women in these industries have been increasingly coming to the forefront. Being a woman in the outdoor industry today is a complex blend of passion, perseverance, and community, marked by both challenges and triumphs.
Women who hunt or engage in outdoor activities frequently find themselves confronting preconceived notions about their capabilities and interests. Many of us have experienced skepticism or outright disbelief when we express our enthusiasm for hunting or other outdoor activities.
Despite these stereotypes, women are increasingly challenging and redefining what it means to be involved in these activities. Female hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are not only participating but excelling in such skills. They contribute unique perspectives and insights to the hunting community, showcasing that passion for the outdoors knows no gender.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter
It’s easy for us to take for granted the multiple forbs that are growing throughout our North Texas and Oklahoma grazing lands. They play an important part in the health of our soils and of our livestock, and we should be aware of how they fit in our grazing environment.
Winecup is one of the forbs that many of us can recognize. There are both annual and perennial species, and of significant numbers in our area is Trailing winecup, which is a perennial.
To learn more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton | Editor
The North Texas Fair and Rodeo, held annually in Denton, Texas, has a rich history that dates back to 1928. Originally conceived as a small agricultural fair, it was organized to showcase the region’s farming and ranching heritage while promoting local businesses and community engagement.
The fair quickly gained popularity, and by 1958, it incorporated a rodeo, which became a central feature of the event. The rodeo added an exciting element to the fair, drawing competitors and spectators from across the region to witness events like bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. Over the years, the fair grew in size and scope, expanding to include live entertainment, carnival rides, livestock shows, and various exhibitions celebrating North Texas culture.
Today, the North Texas Fair and Rodeo has become one of the largest and most anticipated events in the region, attracting thousands of visitors each August. It remains true to its roots, continuing to celebrate the region’s agricultural and ranching heritage while incorporating modern elements such as concerts, arts and crafts, and food vendors.
The rodeo, which is now a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event, draws top-tier competitors from across the state- both in the arena and for the accompanying rodeo queen contest.
To learn more about Miss North Texas Fair & Rodeo, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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